System and method for displaying mobility trails for mobile clients

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure discloses a system and a method for displaying mobile trails for mobile client devices. Specifically, a network device obtains a plurality of performance measurements and a corresponding plurality of physical locations for a client device over a period of time. Then the network device generates a plurality of visual representations for the client device over the period of time, each visual representation representing a respective performance measurement and a respective physical location at a respective time during the period of time. Moreover, the network device can display, store, and/or transmit a map of a physical environment with the plurality of visual representations.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationNo. 62/018,610, entitled “A System and Method for Displaying MobileTrail for Mobile Clients,” filed on Jun. 29, 2014, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to network interface in local areanetworks. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a methodand/or network system for displaying mobile trail for mobile devices.

BACKGROUND

in a wireless local area network (WLAN), it is helpful to enable anetwork administrator to troubleshoot bad call quality issues reportedby mobile users (e.g., Lync® and/or Jabber® users) due to the radiofrequency (RF) environment. However, because the users are mobile, theymight not be in the same geographic location for the entire duration ofa voice and/or video call. Thus, when a mobile user reports a poor callquality issue, it remains challenging for the network administrator tofigure out the RF environment which led to the bad call quality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, several specific details are presented toprovide a thorough understanding. While the context of the disclosure isdirected to network visual representations, one skilled in the relevantart will recognize, however, that the concepts and techniques disclosedherein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, orin combination with other components, etc. In other instances,well-known implementations or operations are not shown or described indetails to avoid obscuring aspects of various examples disclosed herein.It should be understood that this disclosure covers all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be best understood by referring to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings that are used toillustrate embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary network environment according to embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary visual representation of mobility traits formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary radio frequency (RF)information displayed to a network administrator according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary call qualityinformation displayed to a network administrator according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary visual representation of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6A-6B show exemplary visual representations of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary visual representation of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary process for displaying mobility trailsfor mobile clients according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system fordisplaying mobility trails for mobile clients according to embodimentsof the present disclosure.

OVERVIEW

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to network visualrepresentation in a wireless local area network. In particular,embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method and system forconveying information using broadcast frames.

In general, as part of equipping the network administrator with suitabletools to debug the issues leading to bad call quality, embodiments ofthe present disclosure provide a visual representation of the roamingchart of a mobile client (e.g., a Lync® and/or Jabber® client) on afloor plan as the mobile client moves around the physical areacorresponding to the floor plan while making voice/video calls. Thismakes it easier for the network administrator to deduce the radiofrequency (RF) environment of the user for the duration of the call. Thebasic premise of the present disclosure is to maintain a database of themobile client's roaming chart (e.g., a geographic location) within thewireless network for the entire duration of its presence in the network.

Network Environment

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary network environment according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. Network as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes atleast a local controller 110, a plurality of access points serving aplurality of mobile client devices, a network monitor 150, etc.Specifically, the plurality of access points includes AP₁ 132, AP₂ 134,AP₃ 136, etc. In this example, Client₁ 142 is associated with AP₁ 132;Client₂ 144 and Clients 146 are associated with AP₂ 134; and, Client₄148 is associated with AP₃ 136.

Note that, client devices may be capable of placing voice calls, videocalls, uniform communication calls, etc., on the wireless network.Different client devices may use different UCC applications. Forexample, Client₁ 142 and Client₄ 148 may be Jabber® users; whereasClient₂ 144 and Client₃ 146 may be Lync® users. Also, client devices canroam from one access point to another access point, e.g., when theychange their physical locations. They will receive seamless networkservices when they physically move around within the network coveragearea. This is so even when a client device is on an active voice, video,and/or UC call while it moves around an office building. The networkinfrastructure can track the locations of each client devices and reportthem to a local engine (not shown) located in central network 160.

Moreover, local controller 110 is connected to central network 160through a secure tunnel. Central network 160, which may be located at acompany's headquarter, has a plurality of servers, including but notlimited to, Lync server 170 for serving client devices on uniformcommunication calls.

For illustration purposes only, assuming that local controller 110 hasan Internet Protocol (IP) address of 10.15.132.130; network monitor 150has an IP address of 10.15.108.10; and Lync Server 170 has an IP address10.15.16.51.

Basic Visual Representation of Mobile Clients

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary visual representation of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The disclosed system is capable of displayingreal-time mobile client locations on a floor map. A networkadministrator can import a floorplan and geographic coordinates ofmobile clients into the disclosed system. Given the floorplan and thegeographic coordinates of a mobile client, it is possible to display thelocation of the mobile client on the floorplan as illustrated in FIG. 2,which shows a useful intuitive visual representation of the mobileclients in a wireless network.

For the purposes of ascertaining the geographic coordinates of a mobileclient, it is possible to rely on the triangulation of the signalsreceived from the mobile client at a minimum of three access points.This provides reasonably accurate location information of the mobileclient device (or user), e.g., to be accurately located within 10 metersof calculated location. Given a floorplan, it would be easy to positionthe mobile client on the floorplan based on the location coordinates.Therefore, it can be intuitive for the network administrator tounderstand where exactly the user was at any given point of time.

Specifically, FIG. 2 shows that four APs, namely, AP₁ 222, AP₂ 224, AP₃226, and AP₄ 228 are located in the area depicted on the floorplan.Moreover, four mobile client devices, such as, Client₁ 210, Client₂ 212,Client₃ 214, and Client₄ 216 are also located in the same area. Inparticular, the visual representation as shown in FIG. 2 can display thereal-time location of each mobile client device on the floorplan.

Moreover, the visual representation can also show associations betweendifferent mobile client devices and different APs. For example, in FIG.2, Clients 210 is shown to be located in a lobby and associated with AP₂224; Client₂ 212 is shown to be located in hallway and associated withAP₂ 224; Client₃ 214 is shown to be located in a cubicle and associatedwith AP₂ 224; and, Client₄ 216 is shown to be located in a conferenceroom and associated with AP₄ 228.

Moreover, the geographic location of a mobile client can be combinedwith the radio frequency (RF) properties of the mobile client to providea powerful assessment of the RF environment of the particular mobileclient at a given location. Some examples of the RF properties of theuser include, but are not limited to, the followings: client health;transmission power; Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI); NoiseFloor; etc.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary radio frequency (RF)information displayed to a network administrator according toembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 includes examples of RFproperties 300 and RF property values 310 for a particular mobile clientdevice. RF properties 300 include at least client name 320, client MediaAccess Control (MAC) address 330, device type 340, AP association 350,frequency/PHY 360, client health 370, usage 380, signal strength 390, anindication whether client location is static 395, etc.

For example, the illustrated mobile client device has a client name 320value of “Sirius Black” and MAC address 330 “C8:F7:33:26:64:4D.” Itsdevice type is Windows. This particular mobile client device iscurrently associated with an AP named “105-4” and supports 11 na PHYprotocol. Its client health score is 89% healthy. At the moment, theparticular mobile client device is not using any wireless networkbandwidth. Moreover, the signal strength associated with a signal lastreceived from this mobile client device is −42 dBm. This client devicehas no static location and is a mobile client capable of roaming in thenetwork.

These RF properties would give the network administrator powerful meansfor not only determining the geographical location of a mobile clientdevice, but also determining the RF environment of the mobile clientdevice.

In addition, two more enhancements can be made to create an even morepowerful debugging tool for call quality issues. First, a mobility trail(or a roaming chart) of a mobile client device can be displayed whilethe mobile client device is making and receiving calls in the network.Second, call quality information for the calls made by the user can bedisplayed. Superimposing the call quality information over the mobilitytrail of the user provides an invaluable troubleshooting aid for thenetwork administrator.

Furthermore, the call quality information can be overlaid over theroaming trail of mobile clients on the visual representation.Specifically, the following call quality parameters are overlaid on theroaming chart: start time; end time; type of the call (voice/video etc);and call quality (good/fair/poor). This provides a very useful andpowerful tool for the network administrator. It enables her to do thefollowing (a) troubleshoot quality issues due to the RF environment fora user; and (b) determine the presence of coverage holes within thewireless network and taking appropriate action.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary call qualityinformation displayed to a network administrator according toembodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4 includescall quality parameters 400 and call quality parameter values 410 for aparticular mobile client device. Call quality parameters 400 include atleast client health 420, call protocol 430, call type 440, start time450, quality 460, etc.

According to call quality information displayed as in FIG. 4, a networkadministrator can learn that the selected client device has a clienthealth score of 89%. It is currently on a voice call via Jabber. Thisvoice call started at Jan. 13, 2015 at 0:00:00. The voice call currentlyhas a good quality.

In some embodiments, the RF property information and the call qualityinformation can be displayed side by side within the same user interfacein a panel and/or tab next to the mobility trail of the mobile clientdevice to provide better visibility. When a network administratorselects a different mobile client device, the RF property informationand/or the call quality information will be automatically updated toreflect the selected mobile client device.

Color-Coded or Stylized Mobility Trails

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary visual representation of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In this example, a mobile client device isassociated with AP 500. The mobile client device moves from a firstposition POS₁ 510 in a hallway to a second position POS₂ 520 in a lobby,then a third position POS₃ 530 next to a dining room, and eventually toits final position POS₄ 540.

As the mobile client device moves along the mobility trail illustratedin FIG. 5, the mobility client device also is on an active voice call.The mobility client device may notice that the call quality varies as itmoves from one position to another position. According to embodiments ofthe present disclosure, not only the mobility trail along which themobile client device moves will be displayed in the visual presentation,but also the call quality can be visually displayed as well.

For illustration purposes only, assuming that when the mobile clientdevice has a good call quality when moving from POS₁ 510 to POS₂ 520,then it suffered from a period of poor call quality when moving fromPOS₂ 520 to POS₃ 530, but the call quality is recovered and becomes goodagain when it moves from POS₃ 530 to POS₄ 540.

In some embodiments, a level of call quality may be represented by thethickness of the line corresponding to the mobility trail. Therefore, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the mobility trail of the client device betweenPOS₁ 510 and POS₂ 520 and between POS₃ 530 and POS₄ 540 corresponds to athick line representing a good call quality. By contrast, the mobilitytrail of the client device between POS₂ 520 and POS₃ 530 corresponds toa thin line representing a poor call quality.

In some embodiments, a level of call quality may be represented by thecolor of the line corresponding to the mobility trail. Therefore, themobility trail of the client device between POS₁ 510 and POS₂ 520 andbetween POS₃ 530 and POS₄ 540 may correspond to a green linerepresenting a good call quality. By contrast, the mobility trail of theclient device between POS₂ 520 and POS₃ 530 corresponds to a yellow linerepresenting a poor call quality.

In other embodiments, a level of call quality may be represented by theshade of the line corresponding to the mobility trail. Therefore, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the mobility trail of the client device betweenPOS₁ 510 and POS₂ 520 and between POS₃ 530 and POS₄ 540 corresponds to adark line representing a good call quality. By contrast, the mobilitytrail of the client device between POS₂ 520 and POS₃ 530 corresponds toa light line representing a poor call quality.

Mobility Trails with Location History Replay

In some embodiments, the visual presentation may include a replayoption. When the reply option is selected, a network administrator canview a replay of the mobile client device's mobility trail. Note that,the replay is not an extrapolated display based on the duration of thecall and the stored mobility trail of the mobile client device. Instead,the replay includes accurate details of the mobile client device'smoving speed at each location. Thus, if the client device paused at POS₂for a period of time before moving to POS₃, the replay will show theicon of the mobile client device as pausing for the same period of timeas well.

The ability of accurately replay the location history of a particularmobile client device on a mobility trail allows a network administratorto identify where on the floorplan a particular client device encounterbad call quality. The network administrator can then try to find outadditional information, such as RSSI, delay, jitter, packet loss, etc.,to determine whether the poor call quality is caused by poor connectionby the particular client device or due to issues on the other caller'send.

Mobility Trails for Selected Call Type

FIGS. 6A-6B show exemplary visual representations of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure supportmany different call types, including but not limited to, a voice call, avideo call, a uniform communication call, etc. As illustrated in FIGS.6A-6B, a mobile client device is associated with AP 600. The mobileclient device may start a call as a voice call at POS1 610 and then moveto POS₂ 620 and POS₃ 630, etc. At POS₃ 630, however, the mobile clientdevice may need to add a video stream to the call. Therefore, the mobileclient device is on a video call instead of a voice-only call when itmoves from POS₃ 630 to POS₄ 640.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a networkadministrator can select a particular call type, e.g., a voice call or avideo call. If a video call is selected, because the client device is ina video call when it moves from POS₃ 630 to POS₄ 640, the mobility trailcorresponding to the segment POS₃ 630 to POS₄ 640 will display the videocall quality as represented by the style, thickness, color, and/or shadeof the segment line. Based on pre-configured preferences, the segmentsof mobility trail corresponding non-selected call types (e.g., from POS₁610 to POS₂ 620 to POS₃ 630) may be either omitted from the visualpresentation or grayed out in the visual presentation as illustrated inFIG. 6A.

If a voice call is selected, because the client device is in a voicecall when it moves from POS₁ 610 to POS₂ 620 to POS₃ 630, the mobilitytrail corresponding to the segment POS₁ 610 to POS₂ 620 and the segmentfrom POS₂ 620 to POS₃ 630 will display the video call quality asrepresented by the style, thickness, color, and/or shade of the segmentline. Based on pre-configured preferences, the segments of mobilitytrail corresponding non-selected call types (e.g., from POS₃ 630 to POS₄640) may be either omitted from the visual presentation or grayed out inthe visual presentation as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

Mobility Trails with Debugging Information Display

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary visual representation of mobility trails formobile client devices in a wireless network according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Once the call quality is shown on the visualpresentation, a network administrator may want to find out additionaldebugging information, such as RSSI, delay, jitter, packet loss, etc.,to diagnose the problem. In some embodiments, such debugging informationcan be conveniently shown in a pop-up window when the user (or networkadministrator) clicks or puts the mouse over a particular location pointon the mobility trail.

For example, in FIG. 7, a client device is associated with AP 700. Theclient device moves from POS₁ 710, to POS₂ 720, then to POS₃ 730, andfinally to POS₄ 740. As shown in FIG. 7, the client device experiencesgood call quality during the period when it moves from POS₁ 710 to POS₂720 and when it later moves from POS₃ 730 to POS₄ 740. However, theclient device experiences poor call quality during the period when itmoves from POS₂ 720 to POS₃ 730. To diagnose why the client deviceexperience poor call quality between POS₂ 720 and POS₃ 730, a networkadministrator can click to move the mouse over a location point on thatparticular problem segment of the mobility trail. Then visualpresentation will then pop up a debugging window with information,including but not limited to, RSSI 750, delay 760, jitter 770, packetloss 780, etc. RSSI 750 represents the signal strength associated with asignal from the particular mobile client device at the location point.Likewise, delay 760 represents the delay in packet transmissionsexperience the particular mobile client device at the location point;jitter 770 represents the jitter experienced by the particular mobileclient device at the location point; and, packet loss 780 represents thepacket loss rate experienced by the particular mobile client device atthe location point.

Here, jitter generally refers to the variation in latency as measured Inthe variability over time of the packet latency across a network. Packetjitter is typically expressed as an average of the deviation from thenetwork mean latency. Also, packet loss generally refers to failure of anetwork packet to reach its destination. Packet loss rate typically isthe portion (e.g., a percentage) of the network packets that fail toreach their destination.

Other Visual Representations

In addition to the aforementioned visual representations, embodiments ofthe present disclosure may also support one or more of the followingvariations of visual representations.

A. Group Mobility Trails

When a group of mobile client devices share the same moving trajectory,techniques disclosed herein can also be used to display average callquality and/or RF properties for all group members sharing a commontrajectory. This variation of the visual representation can helpdiagnose a common network problem shared by a group of users sharing acommon trajectory during the same period of time.

B. Mobile Client Information for Selected Group

A network administrator may select a particular client group. Forexample, all of the client devices associated with a particular accesspoint may be selected. The visual presentation will show only themobility trails of only the selected client devices. This visualrepresentation is particularly useful to diagnose call quality problemswhen an AP is experiencing poor performance causing bad call qualitiesfor all client devices connected to the same AP at the time. Inaddition, if a client device is roaming from one access point to anotheraccess point, this visual representation

C. Mobility Trails for Selected Geolocation or Zone

A network administrator may select a particular geolocation orgeographic zone. For example, all of the client devices located within aclassroom may be selected. The visual representation will show only callquality information for the selected client devices. This visualrepresentation is particularly useful to diagnose call quality problemswhen client devices are experience bad call qualities at a particulargeolocation or geographic zone, for example, due to local RFinterference in the particular area at the time of the call.

Process for Displaying Mobility Trails for Mobile Clients

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary process for displaying mobility trailsfor mobile clients according to embodiments of the present disclosure.During operations, a network device obtains a plurality of performancemeasurements and a corresponding plurality of physical locations for aclient device over a period of time (operation 800). Then, the networkdevice generates a plurality of visual representations for the clientdevice over the period of time, each visual representation representinga respective performance measurement and a respective physical locationat a respective time during the period of time (operation 820). Inaddition, the network device may store a map of a physical environmentwith the plurality of visual representations (operation 840), or displaya map of a physical environment with the plurality of visualrepresentations (operation 860), or a map of a physical environment withthe plurality of visual representations (operation 880).

In some embodiments, the network device generates a video showing a timesequence of the client device moving through the physical environmentconcurrently with performance measurement at each respective time valueduring the period of time.

In some embodiments, the plurality of visual representations includecolor-coded segments, each color coded segment representing a differentlevel of performance measurement. Specifically, a color used within eachvisual representation indicates the respective performance measurementfor the client device.

In some embodiments, the plurality of visual representations correspondto a subset of the plurality of performance measurements during periodsof time when the client device was on a particular type of call.

In some embodiments, the network device selects a plurality of clientdevices associated with a particular access point, and concurrentlydisplays information for each of the plurality of client devices, theinformation including, for each of the plurality of client devices, therespective plurality of visual representations over the period of time.

In some embodiments, the network device selects a plurality of clientdevices associated with a similar trajectory, and concurrently displaysinformation for each of the plurality of client devices, the informationincluding, for each of the plurality of client devices, the respectiveplurality of visual representations over the period of time.

In some embodiments, the network device selects a plurality of clientdevices associated with a particular area in the physical environment,and concurrently displays information for each of the plurality ofclient devices, the information including, for each of the plurality ofclient devices, the respective plurality of visual representations overthe period of time.

In some embodiments, the plurality of performance measurements indicatea level of connectivity between the client device and one or more accesspoints with which the client device was associated during the period oftime. Moreover, the plurality of performance measurements can indicate acall quality measurement for an active call for the client device.

In some embodiments, the network device identifies in the map with theplurality of visual representations, one or more points in time, whenthe client device switched from association with one access point toanother access point. Thus, a mobile client device's roaming events canbe identified in the map itself.

In some embodiments, the network device displays a particularperformance characteristic, of a plurality of performancecharacteristics used to determine the performance measurement, inrelation to locations over the period of time for the client device.

System for Displaying Mobility Trails for Mobile Clients

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system fordisplaying mobility trails for mobile clients according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. Network device 900 includes at least one ormore radio antennas 910 capable of either transmitting or receivingradio signals or both, a network interface 920 capable of communicatingto a wired or wireless network, a processor 930 capable of processingcomputing instructions, and a memory 940 capable of storing instructionsand data. Moreover, network device 900 further includes a receivingmechanism 950, a transmitting mechanism 960, a displaying mechanism 970,a selecting mechanism 680, and a visual generating mechanism 990, all ofwhich are in communication with processor 930 and/or memory 940 innetwork device 900. Network device 900 may be used as a client system,or a server system, or may serve both as a client and a server in adistributed or a cloud computing environment.

Radio antenna 910 may be any combination of known or conventionalelectrical components for receipt of signaling, including but notlimited to, transistors, capacitors, resistors, multiplexers, wiring,registers, diodes or any other electrical components known or laterbecome known.

Network interface 920 can be any communication interface, which includesbut is not limited to, a modem, token ring interface, Ethernetinterface, wireless IEEE 802.11 interface, cellular wireless interface,satellite transmission interface, or any other interface for couplingnetwork devices.

Processor 930 can include one or more microprocessors and/or networkprocessors. Memory 940 can include storage components, such as, DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), etc.

Receiving mechanism 950 generally receives one or more network messagesvia network interface 920 or radio antenna 910 from a wireless client.The received network messages may include, but are not limited to,requests and/or responses, beacon frames, management frames, controlpath frames, and so on. Specifically, receiving mechanism 950 may obtaina plurality of performance measurements and a corresponding plurality ofphysical locations for a client device over a period of time.

Transmitting mechanism 960 generally transmits messages, which include,but are not limited to, requests and/or responses, beacon frames,management frames, control path frames, and so on. Specifically,transmitting mechanism 960 can transmit a map of a physical environmentwith the plurality of visual representations.

Displaying mechanism 970 generally displays visual representation ofmobility trails for mobile client devices in a network. Specifically,displaying mechanism 970 can display a map of a physical environmentwith the plurality of visual representations.

In some embodiments, displaying mechanism 970 concurrently displaysinformation for each of the plurality of client devices, the informationincluding, for each of the plurality of client devices, the respectiveplurality of visual representations over the period of time.

In some embodiments, displaying mechanism 970 concurrently displaysinformation for each of the plurality of client devices, the informationincluding, for each of the plurality of client devices, the respectiveplurality of visual representations over the period of time.

In some embodiments, displaying mechanism 970 concurrently displaysinformation for each of the plurality of client devices, the informationincluding, for each of the plurality of client devices, the respectiveplurality of visual representations over the period of time.

In some embodiments, displaying mechanism 970 identifies in the map withthe plurality of visual representations, one or more points in time,when the client device switched from association with one access pointto another access point. Thus, a client device's roaming events can beidentified in the map itself.

In some embodiments, displaying mechanism 970 displays a particularperformance characteristic, of a plurality of performancecharacteristics used to determine the performance measurement, inrelation to locations over the period of time for the client device.

Selecting mechanism 980 generally selects a subset of client devices ina network to be displayed with mobility trails, call quality informationand/or RF property information in a visual representation. In someembodiments, selecting mechanism 980 selects a plurality of clientdevices associated with a particular access point. In some embodiments,selecting mechanism 980 selects a plurality of client devices associatedwith a similar trajectory. In some embodiments, selecting mechanism 980selects a plurality of client devices associated with a particular areain the physical environment.

Visual generating mechanism 990 generally generates a visualrepresentation for displaying mobility trails of client devices.Specifically, visual generating mechanism 990 can generate a pluralityof visual representations for the client device over the period of time,each visual representation representing a respective performancemeasurement and a respective physical location at a respective timeduring the period of time. Moreover, in some embodiments, visualgenerating mechanism 990 can generate a video showing a time sequence ofthe client device moving through the physical environment concurrentlywith performance measurement at each respective time value during theperiod of time.

Here, the plurality of visual representations may include color-codedsegments, where each color-coded segment represents a different level ofperformance measurement. Moreover, the plurality of visualrepresentations may correspond to a subset of the plurality ofperformance measurements during periods of time when the client devicewas on a particular type of call. In addition, the plurality ofperformance measurements can indicate a level of connectivity betweenthe client device and one or more access points with which the clientdevice was associated during the period of time. In some embodiments,the plurality of performance measurements can indicate a call qualitymeasurement for an active call for the client device. In someembodiments, a color used within each visual representation indicatesthe respective performance measurement for the client device.

The present disclosure also may be embedded in non-transitory fashion ina computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a programmable circuit; asemiconductor memory such as a volatile memory such as random accessmemory “RAM,” or non-volatile memory such as read-only memory,power-backed RAM, flash memory, phase-change memory or the like; a harddisk drive; an optical disc drive; or any connector for receiving aportable memory device such as a Universal Serial Bus “USB” flashdrive), which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

As used herein, “network device” generally includes a device that isadapted to transmit and/or receive signaling and to process informationwithin such signaling such as a station (e.g., any data processingequipment such as a computer, cellular phone, personal digitalassistant, tablet devices, etc.), an access point, data transfer devices(such as network switches, routers, controllers, etc.) or the like.

As used herein, “access point” (AP) generally refers to receiving pointsfor any known or convenient wireless access technology which may laterbecome known. Specifically, the term AP is not intended to be limited toIEEE 802.11-based APs. APs generally function as an electronic devicethat is adapted to allow wireless devices to connect to a wired networkvia various communications standards.

As used herein, the term “interconnect” or used descriptively as“interconnected” is generally defined as a communication pathwayestablished over an information-carrying medium. The “interconnect” maybe a wired interconnect, wherein the medium is a physical medium (e.g.,electrical wire, optical fiber, cable, bus traces, etc.), a wirelessinterconnect (e.g., air in combination with wireless signalingtechnology) or a combination of these technologies.

As used herein, “information” is generally defined as data, address,control, management (e.g., statistics) or any combination thereof. Fortransmission, information may be transmitted as a message, namely acollection of bits in a predetermined format. One type of message,namely a wireless message, includes a header and payload data having apredetermined number of bits of information. The wireless message may beplaced in a format as one or more packets, frames or cells.

As used herein, “wireless local area network” (WLAN) generally refers toa communications network links two or more devices using some wirelessdistribution method (for example, spread-spectrum or orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing radio), and usually providing aconnection through an access point to the Internet; and thus, providingusers with the mobility to move around within a local coverage area andstill stay connected to the network.

As used herein, the term “mechanism” generally refers to a component ofa system or device to serve one or more functions, including but notlimited to, software components, electronic components, electricalcomponents, mechanical components, electro-mechanical components, etc.

As used herein, the term “embodiment” generally refers an embodimentthat serves to illustrate by way of example but not limitation.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the precedingexamples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope ofthe present disclosure. It is intended that all permutations,enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent tothose skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a studyof the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. It is therefore intended that the following appendedclaims include all such modifications, permutations and equivalents asfall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been described in terms of variousembodiments, the present disclosure should not be limited to only thoseembodiments described, but can be practiced with modification andalteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Likewise,where a reference to a standard is made in the present disclosure, thereference is generally made to the current version of the standard asapplicable to the disclosed technology area. However, the describedembodiments may be practiced under subsequent development of thestandard within the spirit and scope of the description and appendedclaims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan limiting.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A non-transitory computer readable mediumcomprising instructions executable by a processing resource to:determine, based on a level of at least one performance measurement of aclient device, a visual characteristic of a line on a map of a physicalenvironment between a first physical location and a second physicallocation, wherein the client device moves from the first physicallocation to the second physical location; and generate a visualrepresentation for the client device over a period of time, the visualrepresentation representing, at each point in time during the period oftime, (i) a respective level of at least one performance measurement ofthe client device and (ii) a respective physical location of the clientdevice along the line that is formatted with the determined visualcharacteristic.
 26. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim25, wherein at least one performance measurement comprises a health ofthe client device, a transmission power, a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI), a network usage, a noise floor, or a combinationthereof.
 27. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 25,wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to obtain aplurality of performance measurements and physical locations of theclient device over the period of time, wherein the client device isassociated with an access point in a network covering the physicalenvironment.
 28. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim25, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to obtain aplurality of performance measurements of the client device when theclient device is on an active call.
 29. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 28, wherein at least one performancemeasurement comprises a call quality measurement for the active call.30. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein theinstructions further comprise instructions to display the map of thephysical environment with the visual representation.
 31. Thenon-transitory medium of claim 25, wherein the visual representationcorresponds to a subset of the at least one performance measurementduring the period of time when the client device was on a particulartype of active call.
 32. The non-transitory medium of claim 31, whereinthe particular type of active call further comprises a voice call, avideo call, or a voice and video call.
 33. The non-transitory medium ofclaim 31, wherein the visual representation further comprises at leastone of a respective start time or a respective end time of the timeperiod when the client device was on the particular type of active call.34. The non-transitory medium of claim 25, wherein the visualcharacteristic of the line comprises a thickness of the line, wherein adegree of the thickness indicates the level of the performancemeasurement.
 35. The non-transitory medium of claim 25, wherein thevisual characteristic of the line comprises a shade of the line, whereina degree of the shade indicates the level of the performancemeasurement.
 36. The non-transitory medium of claim 25, wherein thevisual characteristic of the line comprises a color of the line, whereina particular color of a set of available colors of the line indicatesthe level of the performance measurement.
 37. A network device; andnon-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructionsexecutable by a processing resource to: obtain at least one performancemeasurement of a client device on an active call and physical locationinformation of the client device, wherein the client device moves from afirst physical location to a second physical location in a physicalenvironment; determine, based on a level of at least one performancemeasurement of the client device, a visual characteristic of a line on amap of the physical environment between the first physical location andthe second physical location; and cause generation of a visualrepresentation for the client device over a period of time, the visualrepresentation representing, at each point in time during the period oftime, (i) a respective level of at least one performance measurement ofthe client device and (ii) a respective physical location of the clientdevice along the line on the map that is formatted with the determinedvisual characteristic.
 38. The network device of claim 37, wherein thenetwork device further comprises an access point.
 39. The network deviceof claim 37, wherein the network device further comprises a datatransfer device, wherein the data transfer device further comprises anetwork switch, a router, a controller or a combination thereof.
 40. Thenetwork device of claim 37, wherein the obtaining further comprisesobtaining via a receiving mechanism that is coupled to a radio to obtainat least one performance measurement of the client device, wherein theradio is included in the network device.
 41. The network device of claim37, wherein the obtaining further comprises obtaining via a receivingmechanism that is coupled to a network interface to obtain at least oneperformance measurement of the client device, wherein the networkinterface is included in the network device.
 42. A method, comprising:determining, based on a level of at least one performance measurement ofa client device, a visual characteristic of a line on a map of aphysical environment between a first physical location and a secondphysical location, wherein the client device moves from the firstphysical location to the second physical location; and generating avisual representation for the client device over a period of time, thevisual representation representing, at a point in time during the periodof time, (i) a respective level of at least one performance measurementof the client device and (ii) a respective physical location of theclient device along the line that is formatted with the determinedvisual characteristic.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein generatingthe visual representation further comprises generating a video showing atime sequence of the client device moving through the physicalenvironment.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein generating the videofurther comprises showing the time sequence of the client deviceconcurrently with a respective level of at least one performancemeasurement of the client device at each respective point in time duringthe period of time.